Preseason Conference Player of the Year: The Lake Conference
Every year, sports writers speculate on which athletes will come out on top when the season is all over, and I am no exception to this rule. While there is no way to predict any of these accolades with 100…
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Continue ReadingEvery year, sports writers speculate on which athletes will come out on top when the season is all over, and I am no exception to this rule. While there is no way to predict any of these accolades with 100 percent certainty, it’s always fun to try. Besides, pieces like this also let me highlight some of the best players in the state, which is always a treat. Similar to the comprehensive goalie guide, this series will cover each and every conference in the state, with each winner being entered for the statewide player of the year poll that will cap off this set of articles. The star-studded Lake Conference will be under the spotlight today, a division with a slew of college commits.
The Case for Hagen Burrows Hagen Burrows 6'1" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN (Minnetonka)
Hagen Burrows Hagen Burrows 6'1" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN was the leading scorer on the best team in the state last season, and his incredible 2022-2023 campaign is a big reason why he committed to Denver University to further his athletic and academic career. Burrows put up an even 50 points last year on 24 goals and 26 assists, helping get everyone involved while still being able to step up and be the star when his team needed him. Listed at 6-foot-2 and weighing in at 170 pounds, Burrows has good size to go with great stick skills, solid speed, and an absolute missile of a shot. He is on many scouts’ list to make the push for the Mr. Hockey award, and mine is no exception. Along with being flanked by stars on all corners of the ice for Minnetonka, Burrows brings an extra dimension to the game himself, and should be due for another great year along with his team.
The Case for Javon Moore Javon Moore 6'2" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN (Minnetonka)
A future Gopher whose athleticism shines every time he is on the ice, Javon Moore Javon Moore 6'2" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN is one the Minnetonka’s top returning skaters on its 2023-2024 roster, and for good reason. He finished third in scoring on a state champion team, putting up 37 points on 10 goals and 27 assists, and his supporting role on one of the most dangerous attacks in the state did not go unnoticed. His vision and speed on the ice pair for a dangerous skater who can either blaze past opposing defenses or swing the puck out to an open man, but either way, Moore always needs to be accounted for. Now that his collegiate future is all but secured, Moore can take a deep breath and focus on bringing Minnetonka back to the Xcel Energy Center.
The Case for Jackson Nevers Jackson Nevers 6'0" | Forward Edina | 2024 State MN (Edina)
Edina’s second Nevers brother set to follow his big bro to the University of Minnesota, Jackson Nevers Jackson Nevers 6'0" | Forward Edina | 2024 State MN is a dynamic on-ice presence that is among the best of the best returning to any team this year, much less Edina. Along with leading the Hornets to the state championship game, Nevers put up an even 20 goals and 20 assists en route to a 40 point season, a figure that led his team. Despite his star status on a top-tier team and having his collegiate career with the Gophers all lined up, Nevers is a tough player on the ice that does not back down from a challenge. He will put his body on the line for loose pucks, fight with defenders for position, and play with a motor that never seems to run out of gas. Nevers is a skater who combines scrappiness and star power seamlessly, making him one of the most dangerous returning skaters on any roster in 2023-2024.
The Case for Jacob Kvasnicka (Wayzata)
The freshman phenom that should only get better as he comes into his own, Jacob Kvasnicka pulled off the incredibly rare feat of leading a varsity team in points before securing a driver’s license, an accomplishment that is even more impressive looking at how stingy the competition was around him. Through the state champions, collegiate commits and dynasties he faced, Kvasnicka never balked, showing conviction and composure on the ice usually reserved for skaters far older. He put up a whopping 45 points on 11 goals and 34 assists, a figure that led his team by a landslide. The Trojans secured 19 wins in 2022-2023, but without Kvasnicka, that number certainly would have been lower. Already an X-factor on his team, Kvasnicka will enter his sophomore campaign with sky-high expectations, but so far, pressure has not phased this rising young star.
The Case for Teddy Townsend Teddy Townsend 5'10" | Forward Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN (Eden Prairie)
The third Gopher commit on this list and Eden Prarie’s top returning scorer on the offensive end, Teddy Townsend Teddy Townsend 5'10" | Forward Eden Prairie | 2024 State MN has become a name synonymous with Minnesota high school hockey thanks to his prolonged varsity tenure with the Eagles. Starting out as an unproven sophomore two years ago, Townsend quickly made his name known, finishing third in scoring for the Eagles along with helping them secure a conference title. Townsend then followed this up with a breakout junior year in which he posted 39 points on 14 goals and 25 assists, great numbers in what proved to be the toughest conference in the state last year. When Townsend hits his stride on the ice, he almost glides past defenders in a way that looks so smooth it can be easy to forget how fast he is moving. His speed and coordination have proved to be a troublesome combo for opposing defenses, and this guy should have another great season leading the charge for Eden Prairie.
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